ELLE’s picks of the Sydney Festival

Dido & Aeneas

20/12/2013 10:57:32 AM

Our favourites of the city in summer.

Festival time always falls during a city’s finest hour, and in Sydney’s case, that’s indisputably January. The Sydney Festival will kick off from the 9th of next month, and run for 17 solid days of performance, art, culture, music and dance. There are so many events on, it’s literally impossible to see everything, but here’s our edit of the festivities.

Dido & Aeneas-A classic story, reimagined through modern dance – oh, and the first scene is performed underwater. Must see.

Kurt Vile –His solo show has already sold out, but you can catch Kurt Vile and his Violators playing at Paradiso at Town Hall. The best part? While you’re still keyed up from the show, you can stick around and dance till late, since Paradiso turns into a party when the concert finishes.

La Voix Humaine– If you’re a fan of all things French and edgy, this one woman show about a telephone breakup is for you; based on a monologue by Jean Cocteau. The performance is in Dutch, with English subtitles.

Merchants Store– You may have seen photographs of this astonishing optical illusion set up in Paris and London, but now the building reimagined by mirrors is coming to Sydney. The best Instagram-opp of the festival.

Sacrilege– Speaking of public art made fun – would you like to play on a Stone Henge bouncy castle in the middle of Hyde Park? Thought so.

Big Star’s Third– One of the most seminal albums in the indie canon, performed live on stage by some of the finest musicians working today, including Kurt Vile and Cat Power. Yes please.

The Staves– Gorgeous harmonies abound when this stunning British threesome make their Australian debut.

Hot Dub Time Machine– Kicking off at midnight in The Spiegeltent, this musical tour through time will be the most fun dance party you’ll attended in months.

The Serpent’s Table- Since it’s a world premiere we’re not exactly sure how this combination of theatre, food and story telling will unfold, but we do know one thing: It’s a going to be delicious.